Virgil Allen Rasmussen

ANOKA–Virgil Allen Rasmussen, 81 of Anoka went to be with God on Friday September 13, 2024. Virgil was born on May 27, 1943, in Tyler, Mn and grew up the oldest son of Glen and Viola Rasmussen in Arco, Mn. He graduated from Ivanhoe High School in 1961. As a young boy he had many odd jobs. He delivered the local paper, he worked with his dad in the gravel pits and owned a septic tank truck. He worked in his family café and with local farmers picking rock and anything they needed. In high school he played football and loved to go swimming at the local park in Arco. He later attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Shortly after graduating with his degree in Civil Engineering, Virgil went to work for the MN Department of Transportation in St. Paul, MN.

Virgil met the love of his life Marion when he was in high school in the spring of 1961 and later married on August 21st, 1965, at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Heights, Mn. In December of 1965 he received notice he was drafted into the Army and headed off to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was later stationed on Camp Zama in Japan where he worked as an engineer building hospitals for the injured during the Vietnam War. Marion joined him in Japan where she gave birth to their son Paul. They made the most of their time in Japan and had lots of adventures exploring the country. He returned to the US in 1968 and settled back in with MNDOT and made a home in Columbia Heights where Marion and he were blessed with two more daughters, Anne and Denise. One of his bigger projects during this time was the I94 tunnels in Minneapolis. He was working on his MBA in Business Administration at the University of Minnesota. In 1978 Virgil decided to leave MNDOT, packed up the family and ventured off to Kuwait. He had accepted a position in the private sector with Johnson Brothers Construction to build the main highway system around Kuwait City including multiple bridges which was his specialty. Shortly after arriving in Kuwait, they were blessed with another daughter, Lynn. They remained in Kuwait until 1982 and continued to fuel his love of travel with many trips and adventures around Kuwait and other parts of the world. During their time in Kuwait Virgil spent some time working in Iraq helping build the roads around Saddam Hussein’s Palace. They returned to the US and in 1983 moved to Litchfield, MN where he continued with Johnson Brothers Construction and managed work in New Orleans building bridges across Lake Pontchartrain and the approach to the Greater New Orleans Bridge.

In 1987 he again packed up the family and moved to Maryland where he took a position with Trumble Construction building Interstate 68 (1st National Highway) through the mountains of Western Maryland. In 1993 they returned to Minnesota and made their home in Andover where he continued his career with road and bridge projects for Park Construction and later back to Johnson Brothers Construction. One of his final projects was the 494/Penn Ave. single point interchange which was the first one in MN before he retired in 2003. After retiring Marion and Virgil took up square dancing and joined the Hot Foot Stompers. They traveled to 40 states and Japan to dance. They made so many great friendships and wonderful memories during their time dancing.

He loved to play cards, spend time in the garden, hunting with his brothers, water-skiing, cross-country skiing, bowling, horseback riding, family gathering and adventures. He loved to plan trips to various historical sites including battle fields. He would venture onto many side routes to find all the historical bridges especially the covered bridges. He was never officially lost, he just selected the scenic route. His favorite week of the summer was hosting the grandchildren. During this week the house was full of excitement, laughter and there were many adventures to historical places around MN. He loved celebrating every holiday as it was a reason to connect with family and friends. That group is endless as he made friends everywhere he went. He loved to talk to strangers and find a personal connection. He was very active in the various churches as they relocated. He was on the board of trustees, taught Sunday School and helped whenever something was needed.

In his final years Virgil suffered from dementia and spent his final two years at Personal Care Living Center in Anoka where he received exceptional care.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marion, children Paul and wife Angela, Anne Raskie and husband Jim, Denise Wilson and husband Patrick and Lynn Cole and husband Brian. Grandchildren, Robert, Katie, Sheldon (Becca), Alayna, Paul, John, Madelyn and Morgan. Great grandson Hayden. Siblings, Karen Norton, Janelle Tusler, Chris Rasmussen (Sharon); Connie Lundholm (Donnie); Roger Rasmussen. Many nieces, nephews and other loving family members. He is proceeded in death by his Mother Viola Rasmussen; Father Glen Rasmussen; Stepmother Geneve Rasmussen; Siblings, Glen and Shirley Lang, Dale Lang and Neal Tusler; Nephew, Adrian Virgil Rasmussen; Nieces, Magdelyn Tusler and Mandy Lundholm.

Funeral Services Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10 am at Anoka United Methodist Church, 850 South Street, Anoka. Visitation 5-7 pm Thursday (9/26) AT THE CHURCH. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka, MN, 763-421-0220